Thunes, the Singapore-based fintech firm, and barq, the digital wallet in Saudi Arabia, have announced the launch of barq’s enhanced remittance services to millions of consumers across the Kingdom.
Thunes said in a statement on Tuesday that through Thunes’ trusted Direct Global Network, barq customers can now send money seamlessly across borders, with transactions delivered in real time to billions of mobile wallets and bank accounts worldwide.
This milestone reinforces barq’s position as a leading mobile wallet in Saudi Arabia, offering international remittances, cards, and a wide range of innovative financial solutions to end users.
The launch follows the formation of the collaboration between Thunes and barq announced in 2024, focused on delivering growth, expanded reach, and a consistently trusted service to Saudi customers.
The Saudi Arabian remittance market, one of the largest in the world, is undergoing rapid change, driven by the country’s ambitious Vision 2030 program to digitize payments.
By combining barq’s local leadership with Thunes’ international reach, this alliance provides a best-in-class service for consumers.
“Our collaboration with Thunes has moved from vision to reality. By going live with these services, we are empowering our customers with faster, more reliable remittances and strengthening barq’s role as the digital wallet of choice in Saudi Arabia,
“This is another important step in our journey to deliver innovative and accessible financial services, and Thunes’ trusted solutions are helping us to deliver on this mission,” said Thamer Alharbi, Director of International Partnerships at barq.
Ahmad Yaacoub, Vice President of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Country Head for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Thunes, they are proud to see their partnership with barq delivering impact at scale.
“With this live launch, Thunes and barq reaffirm their shared commitment to delivering efficient, and customer-focused payment experiences, supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision for a digital-first financial ecosystem,” he added.
Earlier on Monday, Thunes announced the rollout of real-time cross-border payments into Saudi Arabia.
Through its Direct Global Network, Thunes’ members can now deliver instant payouts directly to bank accounts and wallets in the Kingdom in Saudi Riyals (SAR), streamlining transactions for both individuals and businesses.
The move comes as Saudi Arabia accelerates its financial sector transformation under Vision 2030, with rising demand for fast and transparent cross-border payments.
According to industry data, the value of money received into the Kingdom is expected to reach US $232 billion in 2025, reflecting strong growth in transaction volume and digital adoption.
Research from Thunes’ 2025 Report: Money Without Borders also highlights that 65 percent of expatriates view transaction speed as the most critical factor when choosing how to send funds.
By connecting directly with the Saudi banking network, Thunes’ delivers faster, more cost-efficient, and more transparent transfers compared to traditional payment methods.
The rollout enables overseas businesses managing Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage campaigns to pay fees into the Kingdom seamlessly and securely, ensuring faster settlement and a smoother experience for pilgrims.
“Saudi Arabia’s financial sector is undergoing a rapid digital shift, and demand for faster, reliable cross-border payments has never been higher,
“Our launch of real-time payments into the Kingdom gives our Members the tools to meet these expectations and better serve both consumers and businesses.” added Yaacoub.
Meanwhile, Aik Boon Tan, Chief Network Officer at Thunes, said speed is now a necessity in cross-border payments.
“Our real-time direct payout capability in Saudi Arabia equips our Members to deliver instant, secure, and transparent transfers into one of the Middle East’s most dynamic and rapidly-growing economies,” he added.
With this launch, Thunes strengthens its leadership in real-time cross-border payments and supports greater financial inclusion, enabling millions to participate more fully and easily in the global economy.
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